In-situ generation of metal–metal oxide catalysts for the growth of highly oriented graphitic nanowiggles

In this work we demonstrate an in situ generated growth catalyst that produces highly oriented graphitic nanowiggles (GNWs). GNWs are a new form of disordered nanocarbons with graphite domains stacked perpendicular to the filament axis. They had been prepared by acetylene decomposition at ∼525 °C on Al–Mg mesh coated with iron-based nanoparticles. During CVD, inter-diffusion of Mg, Fe, and O between the electrodeposited Fe particles and the mesh generate flakes which become the active site for nanowiggle growth. The properties of this unique form of carbon were evaluated by TEM, HRTEM, SEM, Raman spectroscopy, XPS and cyclic voltammetry.